Rapha - the MAMIL's favourite

[SuperGinger]

OMG the kit is so expensive, my brother is a very hardcore cyclist and he recently did quite a lot to help me so I wanted to say thank you and get him something. The pro team ghost suit is £495, (admittedly it is the most expensive item) but that is mad, it's a bit like designer handbags.

Every second middle aged man is kitted out in it round here, together with the bike, the helmet, socks, shoes you could be pushing £10k!

You could buy him some socks?

TBH, I wouldn't buy anything else because cycling kit, like most hobby kit is very personal, as in he'll know what he wants/needs/suits so just buying something randomly, however lovely could well not be suitable. For example saddles are often custom fit, pedals need to match shoes etc etc.

Looking on the Rapha website, other items that could work would be water bottle (can't have too many, within reason), there's a couple of books that look interesting, also chamios cream if that's not too weird.

Cycling Gifts | The Best Cycling Gifts for Every Rider

He would be appalled by the cost, he is a huge pragmatist as well and lives in a country that is quite poor.

It might be high quality, my brother is an engineer so appreciates great design and quality, but you are also paying a hefty amount to be seen in the brand.

When it comes to presents most blokes care more about having something they want than any element of surprise, so just ask your brother for some guidance. If someone were buying my partner a random cycling related gift he would opt for cycling gloves - he gets through them faster than any other piece of kit - but it's still helpful to know how the sizing of different brands works and what his general preference is. One of the best cycling related gifts Ive bought him was cycling glasses - at his request. He wasn't sure what style he wanted, so he was happy to have someone else do the research and choosing. Over the years I've also bought arm warmers, leg warmers, socks, cycling gloves and a jacket. We're both cyclists, which makes it easier, of course.

I'd be very reluctant to buy a jersey or shorts without very specific guidance (which does take the fun out of the present, even for someone with a very utilitarian approach) because fit is so critical.

Spoke and solace are a nice brand. Organic cotton, recycled polyester. based in Warwickshire. Lovely quality T-shirts (haven’t bought anything other than T-shirts, but was v happy with quality of those).

bit more unique than ubiquitous Rapha (though I do love their shorts).

They are priced like designer handbags, but arguably more functional! Sports gear tends to be smart fabrics that offer a function, then the premium for the brand name and the design.

I don’t care that men spend money on things that interest them - I do care that it’s exactly their wives and girlfriends who are on the Style & Beauty board desperately trying to work miracles with a ‘special’ dress for no more than £50 …

There are very different standards applied to what men are entitled to …

😡

I bet you’ll find it is a lot more than £10k total. My bike alone is £15k. Shoes were something like £500, the kit is super expensive. And the kit is plastic. While I still bought it, in cycling in plastic, when I’m trying to move towards non-plastic clothing.

Pas Normal Studios & Le Col are also popular

Do you know that he likes Rapha OP, or are you going for that because it's a well known and expensive brand so you are assuming he'll enjoy it? Personally if someone bought me Rapha kit I would of course say I was grateful but it's not a brand I'd choose. It's not been a great fit for me when I've tried it in the past and it's considered a bit "all the gear, no idea" in the circles I ride in anyway. I'd expect to be teased mercilessly all day if I turned up at one of our group rides in new Rapha kit.
But style aside, fit is all important in cycling gear. You could buy the most expensive pair of shorts in the world but if the pad just isn't right for the person they'll be on EBay in days. Everyone has their favourites. I have multiple pairs of Alé shorts and tights because they are really comfortable for me, but I know others who would tell you that they're awful. It's very personal and you can waste a lot of money on stuff that's really good quality but just doesn't suit the individual.
So in your shoes I'd ask him, get a voucher, get something else cycling related like a book or print, or buy casual clothing rather than actual kit. To be honest I wouldn't even buy smaller items like gloves as anything size related can go wrong. My DS gave me some Assos gloves for Christmas. Assos is my dream kit brand but usually too expensive for me to buy new anyway, so I know it was a lot for him to spend as a student and I feel really guilty for not loving them. But the fingers are just slightly too long for me. My favourite gloves are some that cost about £15 from budget brand Planet X!

I really like the merino winter hat with the peak. I use every day on my commute for roughly 7 months of the year. I think it's great value for money and super practical. Also it's one size and it will probably fit your friend. I have a big Irish head and it certainly fits me.

My husband liked Rapha stuff so for smaller presents the socks always go down well. They often have sale items that are out of season therefore cheaper.